Cooper, Charles 'Tarzan'
1907-1980 · Contribution: 1932-1936
Star center for the New York Renaissance during their 88-game winning streak and 1932-36 dominant run

Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Impact on the world
Anchored the New York Rens during their record 1932-33 season, which included an 88-game winning streak, and the team's broader 497-58 record from 1932 to 1936, becoming the first Rens player individually inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977.
Life & background
A center for the New York Renaissance during the team's most dominant period, Cooper helped anchor the Rens through their 1932-33 season's 88-game winning streak, a professional basketball record that still stands, and the team's overall 497-58 record from 1932 to 1936. He became the first Rens player individually inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977.
Sources
- Black Fives Foundation (New York Rens); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1977 inductee); Black Fives Foundation
More in Sports & Athletics
Aaron, Hank
1934-2021
Broke Babe Ruth's career home run record amid a barrage of racist threats
Ali, Muhammad
1942-2016
Three-time heavyweight boxing champion; refused induction into the U.S. military on religious grounds, becoming a defining and contested figure of the Vietnam War era
Ashe, Arthur
1943-1993
First Black man to win the U.S. Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon men's singles titles
Biles, Simone
1997-
Most decorated gymnast in history, male or female